Powered jumping stick

ABSTRACT

A powered jumping stick having compression ignition driving means with a hand grip actuated throttle control. Shock absorbing spring means on the lower end of the unit is contained in a telescopically sliding sleeve structure, which forms an air pump operated by the jumping action. Air is pumped through a shroud surrounding the main body of the unit to provide external cooling. Liquid coolant is sealed into the unit for internal cooling by heat dissipation. An extended exhaust pipe conducts the exhaust gases away from the rider and provides an effective scavenging action.

United States Patent Rasanen Dec. 10, 1974 POWERED JUMPING STICK [76] Inventor: Kaarlo E. Rasanen, 226 S. lsis Ave., snmary j j j Fragha d M lnglewood, canf' 90301 ttomey, gent, or zrmrown an artm [22] Filed: Jan. 31, 1974 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 438,265 A powered jumping stick having compression ignition I driving means with a hand grip actuated throttle con- 52 US. C1.;..; 180/8 R, 123/65 R 1 shm]? P mews i v of the unit 15 contained in a telescopically sliding [51] Int. Cl. B62d 57/00 v 58] Field of Search 180/8 R sleeve structure, WhlCh forms an air pump operated by the jumping action. Air is pumped through a shroud [56] References Cited surrounding the main body of the unit to provide eittcrnal cooling. Llqllld coolant is sealed into the unit UNITED STATES PATENTS for internal cooling by heat dissipation. An extended 2,510,509 6/1950 Mays 180/8 R xhaust pip conducts the exhaust gases away from 2,929,459 3/1960 spnzmessem 80/8 R the rider and provides an effective scavenging action. 3,495,671 2/1970 Samiran 180/8 R 3,715,000 2/1973 Ottaway 180/8 R 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures POWERED JUMPING STICK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Jumping sticks or pogo sticks have been made with various power assist means, such as multiple springs, compressed air, internal combustion engines and the like. Compressed air types need a pressure tank which is limited in size for practical purposes, and requires frequent recharging. The internal combustion types usually have complex valving, fuel metering means, ignition and timing means and other accessories. The combustion causes parts of the structure to become very hot and dangerous to the rider unless bulky shielding is used. Any form of speed or throttle control adds to the complexity, making the structure heavy and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The jumping stick described herein is powered by a compression ignition engine completely contained in the main post or body portion of the structure. A telescopic leg with a piston at the upper end, is reciprocated by the jumping action to compress a fuel and air mixtureto ignition, the power stroke driving the leg down and lifting the unit with the'rider. Fuel from a tank attached to a handlebar structure is metered through a pressure operated valve, which is controlled by a hand grip actuated throttle. No special timing or synchronizing mechanism is necessary, the engine having a simple two stroke action. I

- A protective shroud surrounds the body structure,

and cooling air is pumped vthrough the shroud by a reciprocating air pump built on the lower end of the post. Shock absorbing and return springs are contained in and assist in the action of the air pump. Heat from the combustion chamber is dissipated through the body by a liquid coolant sealed into the leg and piston. An extended exhaust pipe carries the exhaust downwardly clear of the rider, and provides effective scavenging actron.

The primary object of this invention. therefore, is to provide a new and improved powered jumping stick.

, Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved powered jumping stick having compression ignition power means operated by the jumping actron.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved powered jumping stick having hand grip operated throttle control.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved powered jumping stick having forced air cooling provided by a jump actuated air pump.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description together with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the complete jumping stick.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The jumping stick has an elongated tubular post or body 10, at the upper end of which are V-struts l2 supporting a handlebar 14. Hand grips 16 are rotatably mounted on opposite ends of the handlebar l4 and are interconnected by a torque rod 18 through the handlebar. Axially slidable in the body 10 is a cylindrical leg 20, the major portion of which is hollow to provide a coolant chamber 22. On the upper end of leg 20 is a piston 24, coupled to the leg by a tubular adapter 26. The coolant chamber 22 is filled with a heat conductive liquid coolant 27,,which extends into the hollow piston 24 to ensure good heat distribution. The lower end of leg 20 has an enlarged foot 28 to provide support on any suitable surface. The upper portion of body 10 encloses a combustion chamber 30, having an air inlet 32 and an exhaust outlet 34, substantially diametrically opposed. Air inlet 32 is slightly lower than exhaust outlet 34, so that the exhaust outlet is uncovered first for proper scavenging action. On the upper end of body 10 is a valve unit 36, which will be described in detail, the valve unit receiving fuel from a tank 38 which is secured to V-struts 12 by strap 40, or any other suitable means.

Slidably mounted on'body 10 is a collar 42 having a radially extending flange 44. Diametrically opposed legs 46 extend downwardly from flange 44, with outwardly projecting foot rests 48 at the lower ends of the legs. Fixed on top of flange 44 is a cylindrical shroud 50 concentric with and spaced from body 10, the body having longitudinally extending cooling fins 52 enclosed in the shroud. An exhaust pipe 54 extends from outlet 34 outwardly and downwardly outside the shroud.

Fixed below flange 44 is a downwardly extending, cylindrical upper air housing 56. Fixed to the lower end portion of leg 20 is an upwardly extending lower air housing 58, which is telescopically slidable in housing 56. Threaded on the lower end of body 10 is an end cap 60, which retains a seal 62 for the sliding leg. The upper end of lower air housing 58-has an inwardly turned flange 64, which engages end cap 60 and acts as a stop to limit the downward travel of leg 20. The two air housings are connected by ports 66 through end'cap 60, and air is pumped into shroud 50 through ports 68 in flange 44. A cushioning spring 70 is fitted around body 10 between the collar 42 and end cap 60, and is enclosed by upper air housing 56. Inside the lower air housing 58 is a return spring 72 fitted on leg 20 between end cap 60 and the adapter flange 74, on which the housing 58 is supported. Spring 72 is lighter than spring 70 and serves to extend the leg 10 and the lower air housing.

Valve unit 36 comprises a cylindrical body 76 threaded into an adapter plug 78, which is threaded into the upper end of body 10, as in FIG. 3. Threaded into the top of valve body 76 is a cap 80 having a fuel inlet 82 and a coolant port 84. The coolant port opens into a cooling chamber 86 in the valve body, and at the lower end of the cooling chamber is a downwardly extending axial cylinder 88, with a reduced opening 90 into combustion chamber 30.. Axially slidable in cylinder 88 is an injector piston 92, on the lower end of which is an injector nozzle 94 which passes through opening 90. On top of piston 92 is an upwardly extendingtubular stem 96, the piston containing a check valve 98 which releases fuel through the stem and down through the injector nozzle 94. Stem 96 is a close sliding fit in a barrel 100 in the cap 80, the fuel inlet 82 opening into the barrel. A load spring 102 biases piston 92 downwardly into the cylinder 88.

Fuel tank 38 has an outlet 104 with a Tee connector 106 from which a supply line 108 leads to an end fitting 110 at the fuel inlet 82. A coolant line 1 12 also extends from Tee connector 106 to an end fitting 114 in the coolant port 84. End fitting 114 is open, but end fitting 110 has a check valve 116 for admitting fuel on demand to the barrel 100.

The throttle control operates by limiting the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber at each stroke. This is accomplished by a throttlc control rod 118 extending axially into barrel 100 to act as an upward motion stop for stem 96. Rod 118 passes through a plug 120 threaded into the top of cap 80 and is sealed by O-rings 122, or the like. Extending radially from torque rod 18 is an arm 128, which is pivotally connected by a link 126 to the upper end of rod 118. Rotation of hand grips 16 thus raises or lowers the throttle control rod.

In operation, the rider stands on foot rests 48 and grasps hand grips 16. One or two manually powered jumps are necessary to start the power action from cold. The initial jump causes piston 24 to compress air in the combustion chamber 30 and lift injector piston 92 against the load-spring 102. On the return stroke,

the descending injector piston will cause fuel to be drawn into barrel 100 through check valve 116. The preferred fuel is kerosene with a small quantity of lubricating oil added, but other fuels-may be used. When a sufficient quantity of fuel is in barrel 100, powered action will start.

The weight of the rider driving down collar 42 will compress lighter spring 72 and drive leg 20 up into body 10. A charge of air entering through inlet 32 will be compressed by piston 24 in the combustion chamber 30, the compression causing the air to be heated. The pressure will lift injector piston 92 against load spring 102, causing fuel from barrel l-to be forced down through check valve 98, through nozzle 94 and into the combustion chamber. The resultant ignition and power stroke will drive piston 24 down and extend leg 20, to lift the body structure and the rider into the air. The amount of fuel injected, and thus the power output, is controlled by the length of stroke of stem 96, as limited by the operation controlled position of rod 118. At the bottom of the stroke of piston 24, limited by stop flange 64 on end cap 60, the exhaust outlet 34 is uncovered, allowing the exhaust gases to escape. By having an extended exhaust pipe, scavenging is assisted by a standing wave action in the pipe, the principle being well known. At the same time a fresh charge of air enters the inlet 32 and the cycle is repeated.

The cooling chamber 86 is filled with fuel which enters through port 84, the pumping action of piston 92 causing a pulsation and general circulation of the fuel to carry off heat. Heat of combustion is distributed through the leg structure by the coolant 27 and the entire length of body is cooled by pumped air from the reciprocating pump. The weight of the rider compresses spring 72 and air from lower housing 58 is driven through ports 66 into upper housing 56. Continued downward pressure compresses spring 70 and forces air from upper housing 56, through ports 68 into the shroud 50. Spring 70 cushions the rider against the upward force of the power stroke, and the downward impact of landing is cushioned by spring 72 and by compression of air in combustion chamber 30. When spring 70 and 72 expand, air is drawn back into the housings 56 and 58.

The operation is thus entirely controlled by the jumping action, without special timing or synchronizing mechanisms. Continuous cooling is provided for the comfort of the rider and to extend the useful life of the apparatus.

Having described my invention, I now claim:

1. A powered jumping stick, comprising:

an elongated cylindrical body having an upper end with handlebar means mounted thereon;

a leg axially slidable in said body, the leg having a piston on the upper end, and a ground engaging foot on the lower end thereof;

a fuel injection valve unit in the upper end of said body, with means for connection to a source of fuel;

said body having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet spaced below the upper end thereof;

foot rest means axially slidably mounted on said body and being resiliently supported thereon;

a shroud surrounding and concentrically spaced from said body;

and an air pump connected between said body and said foot rest means, with ports opening into said shroud for pumping cooling air through the shroud,

2. A powered jumping stick according to claim I, wherein said air pump includes an upper cylindrical housing fixed to said foot rest means, and a lower cylindrical housing fixed to said leg, the lower housing being telescopically slidable in the upper housing.

3. A powered jumping stick according to claim 2, wherein said shroud is secured to said foot rest means, said body having fixed cooling fins extending within the shroud.

4. A powered jumping stick according to claim 2, and including an end cap projecting from the lower end of said body;

a spring in said lower housing biasing said leg downwardly;

and said lower housing having a stop portion for engagement with said end cap for limiting downward travel of the leg.

5. A powered jumping stick according to claim 4, and including a spring in said upper housing between'said end cap and said foot rest means.

6. A powered jumping stick according to claim I, wherein said piston and at least a portion of said leg are hollow and contain a heat conductive coolant material.

7. A powered jumping stick according to claim 1, wherein said valve unit has a fuel inlet with a one way inlet valve therein, and a fuel receiving barrel into which the inlet opens;

said valve unit having a cylindrical bore opening downwardly into the body, an injector piston axially slidable in said bore, a hollow stem fixed to said injector piston and being axially slidable in said barrel, said injector piston having -a nozzle with a one way injector valve opening from said stem into the body.

10. A powered jumping stick according to claim 7, and including a fuel tank mounted on'said handlebar means, with a connection to said fuel inlet;

said valve unit having a cooling chamber extending from said cylinder;

and a second inlet in said valve unit, with a connection to the fuel tank anda port opening into said cooling chamber. 

1. A powered jumping stick, comprising: an elongated cylindrical body having an upper end with handlebar means mounted thereon; a leg axially slidable in said body, the leg having a piston on the upper end, and a ground engaging foot on the lower end thereof; a fuel injection valve unit in the upper end of said body, with means for connection to a source of fuel; said body having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet spaced below the upper end thereof; foot rest means axially slidably mounted on said body and being resiliently supported thereon; a shroud surrounding and concentrically spaced from said body; and an air pump connected between said body and said foot rest means, with ports opening into said shroud for pumping cooling air through the shroud.
 2. A powered jumping stick according to claim 1, wherein said air pump includes an upper cylindrical housing fixed to said foot rest means, and a lower cylindrical housing fixed to said leg, the lower housing being telescopically slidable in the upper housing.
 3. A powered jumping stick according to claim 2, wherein said shroud is secured to said foot rest means, said body having fixed cooling fins extending within the shroud.
 4. A powered jumping stick according to claim 2, and including an end cap projecting from the lower end of said body; a spring in said lower housing biasing said leg downwardly; and said lower housing having a stop portion for engagement with said end cap for limiting downward travel of the leg.
 5. A powered jumping stick according to claim 4, and including a spring in said upper housing between said end cap and said foot rest means.
 6. A powered jumping stick according to claim 1, wherein said piston and at least a portion of said leg are hollow and contain a heat conductive coolant material.
 7. A powered jumping stick according to claim 1, wherein said valve unit has a fuel inlet with a one way inlet valve therein, and a fuel receiving barrel into which the inlet opens; said valve unit having a cylindrical bore opening downwardly into the body, an injector piston axially slidable in said bore, a hollow stem fixed to said injector piston and being axially slidable in said barrel, said injector piston having a nozzle with a one way injector valve opening from said stem into the body.
 8. A powered jumping stick according to claim 7, and including throttle control means adjustably mounted in said valve unit for limiting the motion of said injector piston.
 9. A powered jumping stick according to claim 8, wherein said throttle control means includes a control rod axially slidable in the valve unit in said barrel and in opposition to said stem, said handlebar means having at least one rotatable hand grip, and linkage means connecting said handgrip to said control rod.
 10. A powered jumping stick according to claim 7, and including a fuel tank mounted on said handlebar means, with a connection to said fuel inlet; said valve unit having a cooling chamber extending from said cylinder; and a second inlet in said valve unit, with a connection to the fuel tank and a port opening into said cooling chamber. 